Big Bear

text: Robert Duban & Matt Alt, graphics: Robert Duban

June 2003

updated: 06.23.03

Like a movie that is premiered, then makes its way to
a second-run theater, then to video, then to cable,
then finally to network television where you find
yourself watching it because "Riptide" isn't on in
prime-time any more, Japanese toys occasionally have
extended lives beyond their original releases. The "Big Bear"
toys are a case in point. They are modified versions
of the
Popy ST Dairugger XV toy, the very same one
that U.S. company Matchbox sold in America as
merchandising for the "Voltron" animated series. What
isn't widely known is that this Dairugger toy received a second
lease on life in its home country as well.

Whether due to overstock, or simply a managerial
decision to move more toys, this version of the toy
(which featured disabled rocket-punch launchers) was
repackaged and sold under the unusual brand name of
"Big Bear". Oddly enough, there are at least two
distinct packaging variations for this otherwise
totally obscure re-release.

Although the toys packaged therein are obviously "ST,"
the box copy screams "DX Gokin" and "DX Chogokin."
Just to run the point home a bit further, it also
trumpets that the toys are "himitsu heiki" -- "secret
weapons" -- which is even more amusing, considering
that they're something that had been on the shelves
before. Intriguingly, the "P" logo found
on Popy's
Victora and Robin outings also appears on the boxes.

The packages featured (somewhat ill-conceived)
additional accessories. One featured a toy gun, while
the other contained what appears to be a kid-sized
police notebook.

It isn't exactly clear what Bandai intended to do with
the "Big Bear" brand name, as it doesn't appear to
extend to any other toys in their oeuvre. In any
event, it would appear that the 'Big Bear' went into
permanent hibernation after these two toys were released.